System and method for communication record logging

ABSTRACT

A method for maintaining a log of communications initiated or received at a portable electronic device of a first party. The communications include at least one of short message service (SMS) messages, personal identification number (PIN) messages and cellular telephone calls. The method includes receiving a data record for each of the communications, extracting information from the data record, and storing the information in a log file.

CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/551,126, filed on Oct. 19, 2006, which in turn claims priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/737,391 filed on Nov. 17, 2005,both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present application relates generally to electronic devices and moreparticularly to a system and method for maintaining a log of wirelesstransactions.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as wireless personal digital assistants(PDAs), smart telephones and laptop computers with wireless capabilitieshave gained widespread use for a variety of functions. Such devices arecommonly used for communication purposes including transportation ofdata, and run on a wide variety of networks from data-only networks suchas Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ to complex voice and data networks such asGSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS AND W-CDMA networks.

These portable electronic devices are commonly used for communication,for example, for sending and receiving electronic mail (e-mail), SMSmessages (short message service, commonly referred to as text messages)and PIN messages (Personal Identification Number messages). For voiceenabled devices such as smart telephones for example, voicecommunication in the form of telephone calls can be initiated andreceived at the portable electronic devices.

While copies of some communications are stored, for example, in a backupdatabase for backing up data of the electronic device, there is nomethod of tracking SMS, PIN or telephone communications sent orreceived. This presents a problem for those companies or corporationslooking to audit communication transactions to or from a portableelectronic device. Indeed in some jurisdictions, such audit informationis important to meet regulations relating to logging of electroniccommunications.

Improvements in portable electronic device communication tracking istherefore desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system and method for communication record logging will be betterunderstood with reference to the following description and to theFigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a communication system andportable electronic device for communication record logging inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of certain components of the electronic deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of certain components within thesynchronization server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating functions carried out at boththe portable electronic device and the communication system of FIG. 1according to one example of communication record logging of the presentapplication;

FIG. 5, is a sequence diagram illustrating functions carried out at boththe portable electronic device and the communication system of FIG. 1according to another example of communication record logging of thepresent application; and

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating functions carried out at boththe portable electronic device and the communication system of FIG. 1according to still another example of communication record logging ofthe present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An aspect of the specification provides a method comprising: receiving,at a server, communications including at least one of short messageservice (SMS) messages and personal identification number (PIN) messagessent by an electronic device or received by the electronic device viathe server; extracting, at the server, first information from thecommunications; storing the first information at a log file stored at amemory associated with the server; receiving, at the server, a callrecord of a telephone call, from the electronic device; extracting, atthe server, second information from the call record; and storing thesecond information at the log file, such that the server combines thefirst information and the second information at the log file.

Extracting the first information from the communications can comprise atleast one of extracting a time of a respective one of the communicationsand extracting identification information relating to a second partyassociated with the respective one of the communications.

Extracting the first information from the communications can compriseextracting at least one of a time of a message, a body of the message,and information relating to a second party associated with the message.

Extracting the first information from the call record can compriseextracting at least one of an identification of a second partyassociated with the telephone call, a time of the telephone call and anelapsed time of the telephone call.

Separate log files can be created and maintained for each communicationtype for which log information is stored.

Separate log files can be created and maintained for each date ofcommunications for which log information is stored.

The method can further comprising adding log information to the logfile, the log information comprising one or more of an indication thatone or more of the communication and the telephone call is incoming oroutgoing; a server log date indicating a date and one or more of thefirst information and the second information is logged on the server;and an identifier of one or more of the communications and the telephonecall.

The call record can comprise one or more of call record information, anidentification of a caller, a name of a caller, a caller phone number,an identifier of a type of call, a name of a person called, and phonenumber of a person called, a time at which a telephone call wasinitiated and an elapsed time of the telephone call.

The electronic device can comprise a portable electronic device.

Another aspect of the specification comprises a server comprising: areceiver enabled to communicate with an electronic device; a processorenabled to: receive communications via the receiver, the communicationsincluding at least one of short message service (SMS) messages andpersonal identification number (PIN) messages sent by an electronicdevice or received by the electronic device via the server; extractfirst information from the communications; store the first informationat a log file stored at a memory associated with the server; receive acall record of a telephone call from the electronic device via thereceiver; extract second information from the call record; and store thesecond information at the log file, such that the server combines thefirst information and the second information at the log file.

The processor can be further enabled to extract the first informationfrom the communications by at least one of extracting a time of arespective one of the communications and extracting identificationinformation relating to a second party associated with the respectiveone of the communications.

The processor can be further enabled to extract the first informationfrom the communications by extracting at least one of a time of amessage, a body of the message, and information relating to a secondparty associated with the message.

The processor can be further enabled to extract the second informationfrom the call record by extracting at least one of identification of asecond party associated with the telephone call, a time of the telephonecall and an elapsed time of the telephone call.

The processor can be further enabled to create and maintain separate logfiles at the memory for each communication type for which loginformation is stored.

The processor can be further enabled to create and maintain separate logfiles at the memory for each date of the communications for which loginformation is stored.

The processor can be further enabled to add log information to the logfile, the log information comprising one or more of an indication thatone or more of the communication and the telephone call is incoming oroutgoing; a server log date indicating a date and one or more of thefirst information and the second information is logged on the server;and an identifier of one or more of the communications and the telephonecall.

The call record can comprise one or more of call record information, anidentification of a caller, a name of a caller, a caller phone number,an identifier of a type of call, a name of a person called, and phonenumber of a person called, a time at which a telephone call wasinitiated and an elapsed time of the telephone call.

The electronic device can comprise a portable electronic device.

The server can further comprise a connector for coupling to the memory.

Yet a further aspect of the specification provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code embodiedtherein for: receiving, at a server, communications including at leastone of short message service (SMS) messages and personal identificationnumber (PIN) messages sent by an electronic device or received by theelectronic device via the server; extracting, at the server, firstinformation from the communications; storing the first information at alog file stored at a memory associated with the server; receiving, atthe server, a call record of a telephone call, from the electronicdevice; extracting, at the server, second information from the callrecord; and storing the second information at the log file, such thatthe server combines the first information and the second information atthe log file.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which shows a functional block diagramof a communication system indicated generally by the numeral 20 and aportable electronic device 22. The communication system 20 provides forcommunications with portable electronic devices including the exemplaryportable electronic device 22, as shown. The portable electronic device22 and the communication system 20 are operable to effect communicationsover a radio communications channel therebetween. Data originating atthe portable electronic device 22 is communicated to the communicationsystem 20 by way of the radio communications channel. Similarly, dataoriginating at the communication system 20 is communicated from thecommunication system 20 to the portable electronic device 22 by way ofthe radio communications channel, thereby providing data to the portableelectronic device 22.

For the purpose of illustration, the communication system 20 isfunctionally represented in FIG. 1 and a single base station 24 isshown. The base station 24 defines a coverage area, or cell 26 withinwhich communications between the base station 24 and the portableelectronic device 22 can be affected. It will be appreciated that theportable electronic device 22 is movable within the cell 26 and can bemoved to coverage areas defined by other cells that are not illustratedin the present example. The communication system 20 includes a basestation 24 that is part of a wireless network and infrastructure 28 thatprovides a link to the portable electronic device 22. The wirelessnetwork and infrastructure 28 includes a number of base stations (notshown) that provide the other cells referred to above. Data is deliveredto the portable electronic device 22 via wireless transmission from thebase station 24. Similarly, data is sent from the portable electronicdevice 22 via wireless transmission to the base station 24.

Wireless networks and infrastructures include, for example, data-centricwireless networks, voice-centric wireless networks, or dual-modewireless networks. For the purpose of the present exemplary embodiment,the wireless network and infrastructure 28 includes a dual-mode wirelessnetwork that supports both voice and data communications over the samephysical base stations.

The communication system 20 includes a relay device 30 that is connectedto the wireless network and infrastructure 28 and to a server 32. Itwill be understood that the functions provided by the relay device 30and the server 32 can be embodied in the same device. The server 32 isalso connected to an administration server 34, as shown. Theadministration server 34 provides administrative services to and controlover the server 32.

The server 32 is also functionally coupled through a connector 36 to abackup/restore database 38. Other connectors and databases can beprovided, for example, for synchronization purposes. Such connectors anddatabases are not shown in FIG. 1 for the purpose of simplicity. Theconnector 36 receives commands from the server 32. It will be understoodthat the connector 36 is a functional component and can be provided byway of an application on the server 32. The backup/restore database 38is used for storing data records, including, for example, copies of SMSor PIN messages sent from the portable electronic device 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of certain components withinthe portable electronic device 22 is shown. In the present embodiment,the portable electronic device 22 is based on the computing environmentand functionality of a wireless personal digital assistant. It will beunderstood, however, that the portable electronic device 22 is notlimited to a wireless personal digital assistant. Other portableelectronic devices are possible, such as cellular telephones, smarttelephones, and laptop computers. Referring again to the presentembodiment, the portable electronic device 22 is based on amicrocomputer including a processor 40 connected to a read-only-memory(ROM) 42 that contains a plurality of applications executable by theprocessor 40 that enables the portable electronic device 22 to performcertain functions including, for example, PIN message functions, SMSmessage functions and cellular telephone functions. The processor 40 isalso connected to a random access memory unit (RAM) 44 and a persistentstorage device 46 which are responsible for various non-volatile storagefunctions of the portable electronic device 22. The processor 40receives input from various input devices including a keypad 48 and atrackwheel 49. The trackwheel can be depressed as a means to provideadditional user-input. The microprocessor 40 receives input from thetrackwheel which is used for user selection of features from a list or atable on an LCD display 50 of the portable electronic device 22.Selection is carried out by rolling the trackwheel to move a cursor (orhighlighted region), for example, to the desired selection and pressinginwardly on the trackwheel. The processor 40 outputs to various outputdevices including the LCD display 50 and a speaker 52. A microphone 54and phone speaker 56 are connected to the processor 40 for cellulartelephone functions. The processor 40 is also connected to an internalclock 58 and a modem and radio device 60. The modem and radio device 60is used to connect to wireless networks using an antenna 62. The modemand radio device 60 transmits and receives voice and data communicationsto and from the portable electronic device 22 through the antenna 62.

The portable electronic device 22 is operable to effect two waycommunication of voice and data. Thus, the portable electronic device 22transmits and receives voice communications over the wireless networkand infrastructure 28 via wireless communications with the base station24 over a radio communications channel. Similarly, the portableelectronic device 22 transmits and receives data communications over thewireless network and infrastructure 28 via wireless radio communicationswith the base station 24 over a radio communications channel.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which shows a block diagram of certaincomponents within the server 32. Similar to the portable electronicdevice 22, the server 32 includes a processor 66 connected to a readonly memory (ROM) 68 that includes applications executable by theprocessor 66 and enables the server 32 to perform certain functionsincluding synchronization with the portable electronic device 22. Theprocessor 66 is also connected to a random access memory unit (RAM) 70and a persistent storage device 72 which are responsible for variousnon-volatile storage functions of the server 32.

It will be understood that the functions described herein can be carriedout in any suitable manner. In the present example, the functions arecarried out by algorithms executable by the processor 66. For example,the processor 66 of the server 32 is operable to receive communicationsgenerated by the portable electronic device 22 for delivery to otherelectronic devices. The processor 66 is operable to extract loginformation from SMS messages, PIN messages and telephone records sentto the server 32. The processor 66 is further operable to retrieve logfiles from the persistent storage 72 or create new log files if anappropriate log file does not exist on the persistent storage 72. Theprocessor 66 is operable to update the log file using the loginformation extracted from a message and using additional informationdetermined at the processor 66. The processor 66 is operable to resavethe log file to the persistent storage 72 thereby maintaining an auditlog of the information extracted.

The portable electronic device 22 is operable to send and receive avariety of different communication types including SMS messages, PINmessages and telephone calls to and from other portable electronicdevices (not shown) connected to the wireless network and infrastructure28.

It will be appreciated that the portable electronic device 22 and server32 are operable to carry out many other functions, some of which aredescribed below.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows a sequence diagramillustrating functions carried out at both the portable electronicdevice 22 and the communication system 20 during sending ofcommunications from the portable electronic device, in accordance withone embodiment of the present application. Coding of software forcarrying out the steps illustrated is well within the scope of a personof ordinary skill in the art. In the present example, the message sentis an SMS message. In order to send the SMS message using the portableelectronic device 22, the SMS messaging application stored on the ROM 42is selected using the trackwheel 49 by selection from a number ofoptions displayed on the LCD display 50 (step 100). The SMS message isthen composed by entering message text using the keypad 48 (step 102).The destination number is then entered, and the message is sent byselection of a send command using the keypad 48 or trackwheel 49 (step104). In the present example, the message is an SMS message, and thedestination number is the telephone number of the destination portableelectronic device (not shown). The SMS message is then sent via a radiocommunications channel to the base station 24 (for the cell in which theportable electronic device 22 is located).

The SMS message is received at the base station 24 (step 106) andforwarded through the wireless network and infrastructure 28 and therelay 30 to the server 32 of the communication system 20 (step 108). Themessage is then routed through the wireless network and infrastructure28 to the appropriate base station for transmission to the destinationportable electronic device (step 110). It will be understood that themessage is forwarded to the appropriate base station based on the cellin which the destination portable electronic device is located. The SMSmessage data includes several fields such as, for example, informationregarding the sender (message source), the length of the message, a timestamp, the destination phone number, the format, the body of the messageand others. The server 32 extracts log information from individualfields of the message, adds the information to a log file associatedwith the portable electronic device 22 and stores the log file in thepersistent storage 72 of the server 32. In the present example, the loginformation extracted from fields of the message includes the following:a name identifying the sender of the message (message source); an e-mailaddress of the sender; the destination phone number; the body of themessage; and a the time stamp indicating the time the message was sentfrom the portable electronic device 22. The server 32 also adds loginformation to the log including: an indication that the message isoutgoing; a server log date indicating the date and time the record islogged on the server 32; and a unique identification for the recordsent. The SMS log file associated with the portable electronic device 22is retrieved from the persistent storage 72, or if no SMS log fileexists yet, one is created (step 112). The SMS log file that isretrieved or created is date-specific. Thus, the SMS log file that isretrieved is the SMS log file for the date on which the log file isretrieved. If no SMS log file exists for that date, a new SMS log fileis created. The log information described above is added to the SMS log(step 114) and the modified (or new) SMS log file is stored in thepersistent storage 72 (step 116). It will be appreciated that a new logfile is created and stored for each day that an SMS message is sent orreceived. In the present embodiment, the date for each log file isembedded in the name of the log file, thereby distinguishing the logfiles for different dates. In addition to storing the log, a copy of theSMS message is forwarded to the connector 36 and stored in thebackup/restore database 38 (step 118).

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a sequence diagramillustrating functions carried out at both the portable electronicdevice 22 and the communication system 20 during receiving ofcommunications at the portable electronic device 22. Again, coding ofsoftware for carrying out the steps illustrated is well within the scopeof a person of ordinary skill in the art. In the present example, themessage received is an SMS message. The SMS message is composed and sentfrom another portable electronic device (not shown) connected to thewireless network and infrastructure 28. The SMS message is received at abase station and forwarded through the wireless network andinfrastructure 28 and the relay 30 to the server 32 of the communicationsystem 20 (step 120). The message is then routed through the wirelessnetwork and infrastructure 28 to the base station 24 and transmitted tothe portable electronic device 22 via a radio communication channel(step 122). It will be understood that the message is forwarded to thebase station 24 covering the cell in which the portable electronic 22device is located.

The SMS message is received at the portable electronic device 22 (step124). In the present example, the portable electronic device emits anotification such as an SMS specific ring tone through the speaker 52,thereby notifying the user of receipt of an SMS message at the portableelectronic device 22. The user can, of course, view the SMS message inthe SMS messaging application, using the LCD display 50.

Again, the SMS message data includes several fields such as, forexample, information regarding the sender (message source), the lengthof the message, a time stamp, the destination phone number, the format,the body of the message and others. The server 32 extracts loginformation from individual fields of the message, adds the informationto the SMS log file associated with the portable electronic device 22and stores the SMS log file in the persistent storage 72 of the server32. In the present example, the log information extracted from fields ofthe message includes the following: a name identifying the sender of themessage (message source); an e-mail address of the sender; the sourcephone number; the body of the message; and a the time stamp indicatingthe time the message was sent from the source portable electronicdevice. The server 32 again adds log information to the log including anindication that the message is incoming; a server log date indicatingthe date and time the record is logged on the server 32; and a uniqueidentification for the record received. The SMS log file associated withthe portable electronic device 22 is retrieved from the persistentstorage 72 (step 126). The log information is added to the SMS log (step128) and the modified SMS log file is stored in the persistent storage72 (step 130). In addition to storing the log file, a copy of the SMSmessage is forwarded to the connector 36 and stored in thebackup/restore database 38 (step 132).

Reference is again made to FIG. 4 to describe another example in which aPIN message is sent from the portable electronic device 22. It will beappreciated that the present example is similar to the example describedabove in relation to sending an SMS message. In order to send the PINmessage using the portable electronic device 22, the PIN messagingapplication stored on the ROM 42 is selected using the trackwheel 49 byselection from a number of options displayed on the LCD display 50 (step100). The PIN message is then composed by entering message text usingthe keypad 48 (step 102). The destination number is then entered and themessage is sent by selection of a send command using the trackwheel 49(step 104). In the present example, the message is a PIN message, andthe destination number that is entered is therefore a personalidentification number (PIN) associated with the destination portableelectronic device (not shown). It will be appreciated that to send a PINmessage, the PIN number of the destination portable electronic devicemust be known. The PIN message is then sent via a radio communicationschannel to the base station 24 (for the cell in which the portableelectronic device 22 is located).

The PIN message is received at the base station 24 (step 106) andforwarded through the wireless network and infrastructure 28 and therelay 30 to the server 32 of the communication system 20 (step 108). Themessage is then routed through the wireless network and infrastructure28, to the appropriate base station for transmission to the destinationportable electronic device (step 110). It will be understood that themessage is forwarded to the appropriate base station based on the cellin which the destination portable electronic device identified by thePIN number, is located. The PIN message data includes several fieldssuch as, for example, information regarding the sender (message source),the length of the message, a time stamp, the destination PIN numbersincluding any additional PIN numbers that are copied by CC (carbon copy)or BCC (blind carbon copy), the subject of the message, the body of themessage and others. The server 32 extracts log information fromindividual fields of the PIN message, adds the information to a PINmessage log file associated with the portable electronic device 22 andstores the PIN message log file in the persistent storage 72 of theserver 32. In the present example, the log information extracted fromfields of the PIN message includes the following: a name identifying thesender of the message (message source); a PIN number of the sender; thee-mail address of the sender; the destination PIN numbers, including anyadditional PIN numbers that are copied by CC (carbon copy) or BCC (blindcarbon copy); the subject of the message; the body of the message; and athe time stamp indicating the time the message was sent from theportable electronic device 22. The server 32 also adds log informationto the log including: an indication that the message is outgoing; aserver log date indicating the date and time the record is logged on theserver 32; and a unique identification for the record sent. The PIN logfile associated with the portable electronic device 22 is retrieved fromthe persistent storage 72, or if no PIN log file exists, one is created(step 112). Similarly to the SMS log file, the PIN log file that isretrieved or created is date specific. Thus, the PIN log file that isretrieved is the PIN log file for the date on which the log file isretrieved. If no PIN log file exists for that date, a new PIN log fileis created. The PIN log information described above is added to the PINlog (step 114) and the modified (or new) PIN log file is stored in thepersistent storage 72 (step 116). In addition to storing the log, a copyof the PIN message is forwarded to the connector 36 and stored in thebackup/restore database 38 (step 118).

Reference is again made to FIG. 5 to describe an example in which a PINmessage is received at the portable electronic device 22. Again thepresent example is similar to the example described above in relation toreceipt of an SMS message. The PIN message is composed and sent fromanother portable electronic device (not shown) connected to the wirelessnetwork and infrastructure 28, using the PIN number of the portableelectronic device 22. The PIN message is received at a base station andforwarded through the wireless network and infrastructure 28 and therelay 30 to the server 32 of the communication system 20 (step 120). ThePIN message is then routed through the wireless network andinfrastructure 28 to the base station 24 and transmitted to the portableelectronic device 22 via a radio communication channel (step 122). Itwill be understood that the PIN message is forwarded to the base station24 covering the cell in which the portable electronic 22 device islocated.

The PIN message is received at the portable electronic device 22 (step124). In the present example, the portable electronic device emits anotification such as a PIN message specific ring tone through thespeaker 52, thereby notifying the user of receipt of a PIN message atthe portable electronic device 22. The user can, of course, view the PINmessage in the PIN messaging application, using the LCD display 50.

Again, the PIN message data includes several fields such as, forexample, information regarding the sender (message source), the lengthof the message, a time stamp, the destination PIN number, the subject ofthe message, the body of the message and others. The server 32 extractslog information from individual fields of the PIN message, adds theinformation to the PIN log file associated with the portable electronicdevice 22 and stores the PIN log file in the persistent storage 72 ofthe server 32. In the present example, the log information extractedfrom fields of the message include the following: a name and PIN numberidentifying the sender of the PIN message (message source); an e-mailaddress of the sender; the PIN number of the receiving portableelectronic device 22; the body of the message; and a the time stampindicating the time the message was sent from the source portableelectronic device. The server 32 again adds log information to the PINlog including: an indication that the message is incoming; a server logdate indicating the date and time the record is logged on the server 32;and a unique identification for the record received. The PIN log fileassociated with the portable electronic device 22 is retrieved from thepersistent storage 72 (step 126). The PIN log information is added tothe PIN log (step 128), and the modified PIN log file is stored in thepersistent storage 72 (step 130). In addition to storing the PIN logfile, a copy of the PIN message is forwarded to the connector 36 andstored in the backup/restore database 38 (step 132).

It will now be understood that new PIN and new SMS messages sent andreceived are logged in the respective log file stored on the persistentstorage 72. Each update and replacement of those messages, for examplewhen a reply is sent or received, is also stored as a separate instancein the respective log file in a similar manner to that described above.Thus, each SMS log file includes a complete log of SMS message activityfor the portable electronic device 22 for the date of the log file.Similarly, each PIN log file includes a complete log of PIN messageactivity for the portable electronic device 22 for the date of the logfile.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 to describe another example in which acell phone call is made from the portable electronic device 22. Again,coding of software for carrying out the steps illustrated is well withinthe scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art. In order to place acell phone call using the portable electronic device 22, the cell phoneapplication stored on the ROM 42 is selected using the trackwheel 49 byselection from a number of options displayed on the LCD display 50. Thedestination number is then entered and the call is initiated byselection of a send command using the keypad 48 or trackwheel 49. Thedestination information (phone number) is then sent via a radiocommunications channel to the base station 24 (for the cell in which theportable electronic device 22 is located).

The wireless network and infrastructure 28 then notifies the recipientat the destination phone number, as will be understood by one skilled inthe art. For example, if the destination phone number is a cell phone,the base station in which that cell phone is located sends anotification causing the destination cell phone to ring. The connectionis then completed if the recipient answers the phone, allowing voicecommunication with the user of the portable electronic device 22 fromwhich the call originated.

The user terminates the phone call by selecting a hang-up option eitherafter voice communication, after recording a voice-mail message or afterthe call is not answered (step 140). The portable electronic device 22maintains a record of the phone call made. The record includesinformation such as the type of call (outgoing), the name and phonenumber of the person called, the time at which the call was initiatedand the elapsed time of the call when the caller hung up. Thisinformation is stored in a database on the persistent storage device 46of the portable electronic device 22 (step 142). With this informationchange (addition) to the database on the persistent storage device 46,the call information from the call record is then sent to thecommunication system 20 via a radio communication channel (step 144).

The call record is received at the base station 24 (step 146) andforwarded through the wireless network and infrastructure 28 to therelay 30 and server 32 (step 148). The server 32 receives the callrecord and extracts the information for addition to a phone log file inthe persistent storage 72 of the server 32. In the present example, theserver 32 extracts log information from the record, including theidentification of the caller (name and phone number), the type of call,the name and phone number of the person called, the time at which thecall was initiated and the elapsed time of the call. The server 32 alsoadds log information including a server log date, indicating the dateand time the phone record is logged on the server 32, and a uniqueidentification for the phone log record. The phone log file associatedwith the portable electronic device 22 is retrieved from the persistentstorage 72, or if no phone log file exists, one is created (step 150).The phone log information described above is added to the phone log(step 152) and the modified (or new) phone log file is stored in thepersistent storage 72 (step 154). In addition to storing the log, a copyof the phone record is forwarded to the connector 36 and stored in thebackup/restore database 38 (step 156).

Referring still to FIG. 6 to describe another example in which cellphone call is received at the portable electronic device 22, a call isindicated at the portable electronic device by, for example, a ring toneemitted from the speaker 52. The phone call can be answered by pressinga key on the keypad 48, for example.

The phone call is terminated either by selecting a hang-up option aftervoice communication, or by termination at the caller end after voicecommunication, after recording a voice-mail message or when the call isnot answered (step 140). The portable electronic device 22 maintains arecord of the phone call received. The record includes information suchas the type of call (incoming), whether or not the call was completed ormissed, the name and phone number of the originator of the call, thetime at which the call was received and the elapsed time of the callwhen the call was terminated. Again this information is stored in thedatabase on the persistent storage device 46 of the portable electronicdevice 22 (step 142). With this information change (addition) to thedatabase on the persistent storage device 46, the call information fromthe call record is then sent to the communication system 20 via a radiocommunication channel (step 144).

The call record is received at the base station 24 (step 146) andforwarded through the wireless network and infrastructure 28 to therelay 30 and server 32 (step 148). The server 32 receives the callrecord and extracts the information for addition to a phone log file inthe persistent storage 72 of the server 32. In the present example, theserver 32 extracts log information from the record, including theidentification of the originator of the call (name and phone number),the type of call, the name and phone number of the person called, thetime at which the call was initiated and the elapsed time of the call.The server 32 also adds log information including a server log date,indicating the date and time the phone record is logged on the server32, and a unique identification for the phone log record. The phone logfile associated with the portable electronic device 22 is retrieved fromthe persistent storage 72 (step 150). The phone log information is thenadded to the phone log (step 152) and the modified (or new) phone logfile is stored in the persistent storage 72 (step 154). In addition tostoring the log, a copy of the phone record is forwarded to theconnector 36 and stored in the backup/restore database 38 (step 156).

It will be appreciated that the log information is stored on a databaseat the communication system 20, thereby maintaining logs useful forauditing wireless communications sent and received.

It will be appreciated that the components of the portable electronicdevice are shown in FIG. 2 for exemplary purposes only. Other portableelectronic device components are possible. For example, rather than atrackwheel 49, as shown in FIG. 2 and referred to in the abovedescription, the portable electronic device 22 can include a trackball.The trackball can be depressed as a means to provide additionaluser-input. The microprocessor 40 receives input from the trackballwhich is used for user selection of features from a list or a table onthe LCD display 50 of the portable electronic device 22. Selection iscarried out by rolling the trackball to roll a cursor (or highlightedregion), for example, to the desired selection and pressing inwardly onthe trackball. The portable electronic device 22 also includes otherfeatures, such as a battery, that are not shown.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided amethod for maintaining a log of communications initiated and received ata portable electronic device of a first party. The communicationincludes at least one of short message service (SMS) message, personalidentification number (PIN) message and cellular telephonecommunication. The method includes receiving a data record of thecommunication initiated from the device, extracting information from thedata record, and storing the information in a log file.

According to another aspect, there is provided a system for maintaininga log of communications initiated and received at an electronic deviceof a first party. The communications include at least one of shortmessage service (SMS) messages, personal identification number (PIN)messages and cellular telephone calls. The system includes a receiverfor receiving a data record for each one of said communications, aprocessor for extracting information from said data record, and a memorydevice for storage of said information in a log file.

According to another aspect, there is provided a computer-readablemedium having computer readable code embodied therein for receiving adata record of a communication initiated or received at a portableelectronic device of a first party. The communication includes one of ashort message service (SMS) message, a personal identification number(PIN) message and a cellular telephone call, extracting information fromsaid data record, and storing said information in a log file.

Advantageously, a log of each type of wireless communication sent andreceived is maintained automatically by extracting information from themessage or telephone call. These logs are useful for auditing wirelesscommunications sent and received.

While the embodiments described herein are directed to particularimplementations of the system and method for communication recordlogging, it will be understood that modifications and variations tothese embodiments are within the scope and sphere of the presentapplication. For example, the log files described and created at theserver 30 can be administrator enabled or disabled as desirable bychanging settings at the administration server 34. Also, the log filesare described as being stored in the persistent storage 72 of the server32. It will be understood, however, that the log files can be stored inany suitable default location or otherwise defined location.

Many other modifications and variations may occur to those skilled inthe art. All such modifications and variations are believed to be withinthe sphere and scope of the present application.

1. A method comprising: receiving, at a server, communications includingat least one of short message service (SMS) messages and personalidentification number (PIN) messages sent by an electronic device orreceived by the electronic device via the server; extracting, at theserver, first information from the communications; storing the firstinformation at a log file stored at a memory associated with the server;receiving, at the server, a call record of a telephone call, from theelectronic device; extracting, at the server, second information fromthe call record; and storing the second information at the log file,such that the server combines the first information and the secondinformation at the log file.
 2. The method according to claim 1, whereinextracting the first information from the communications comprises atleast one of extracting a time of a respective one of the communicationsand extracting identification information relating to a second partyassociated with the respective one of the communications.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein extracting the first information from thecommunications comprises extracting at least one of a time of a message,a body of the message, and information relating to a second partyassociated with the message.
 4. The method according to claim 1, whereinextracting the first information from the call record comprisesextracting at least one of an identification of a second partyassociated with the telephone call, a time of the telephone call and anelapsed time of the telephone call.
 5. The method according to claim 1,wherein separate log files are created and maintained for eachcommunication type for which log information is stored.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein separate log files are created andmaintained for each date of communications for which log information isstored.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising addinglog information to the log file, the log information comprising one ormore of an indication that one or more of the communication and thetelephone call is incoming or outgoing; a server log date indicating adate and one or more of the first information and the second informationis logged on the server; and an identifier of one or more of thecommunications and the telephone call.
 8. The method according to claim1, wherein the call record comprises one or more of call recordinformation, an identification of a caller, a name of a caller, a callerphone number, an identifier of a type of call, a name of a personcalled, and phone number of a person called, a time at which a telephonecall was initiated and an elapsed time of the telephone call.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises aportable electronic device.
 10. A server comprising: a receiver enabledto communicate with an electronic device; a processor enabled to:receive communications via the receiver, the communications including atleast one of short message service (SMS) messages and personalidentification number (PIN) messages sent by an electronic device orreceived by the electronic device via the server; extract firstinformation from the communications; store the first information at alog file stored at a memory associated with the server; receive a callrecord of a telephone call from the electronic device via the receiver;extract second information from the call record; and store the secondinformation at the log file, such that the server combines the firstinformation and the second information at the log file.
 11. The serveraccording to claim 10, wherein the processor is further enabled toextract the first information from the communications by at least one ofextracting a time of a respective one of the communications andextracting identification information relating to a second partyassociated with the respective one of the communications.
 12. The serveraccording to claim 10, wherein the processor is further enabled toextract the first information from the communications by extracting atleast one of a time of a message, a body of the message, and informationrelating to a second party associated with the message.
 13. The serveraccording to claim 10, wherein the processor is further enabled toextract the second information from the call record by extracting atleast one of identification of a second party associated with thetelephone call, a time of the telephone call and an elapsed time of thetelephone call.
 14. The server according to claim 10, wherein theprocessor is further enabled to create and maintain separate log filesat the memory for each communication type for which log information isstored.
 15. The server according to claim 10, wherein the processor isfurther enabled to create and maintain separate log files at the memoryfor each date of the communications for which log information is stored.16. The server according to claim 10 wherein the processor is furtherenabled to add log information to the log file, the log informationcomprising one or more of an indication that one or more of thecommunication and the telephone call is incoming or outgoing; a serverlog date indicating a date and one or more of the first information andthe second information is logged on the server; and an identifier of oneor more of the communications and the telephone call.
 17. The serveraccording to claim 10, wherein the call record comprises one or more ofcall record information, an identification of a caller, a name of acaller, a caller phone number, an identifier of a type of call, a nameof a person called, and phone number of a person called, a time at whicha telephone call was initiated and an elapsed time of the telephonecall.
 18. The server according to claim 10, wherein the electronicdevice comprises a portable electronic device.
 19. The server accordingto claim 10, further comprising a connector for coupling to the memory.20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable code embodied therein for: receiving, at a server,communications including at least one of short message service (SMS)messages and personal identification number (PIN) messages sent by anelectronic device or received by the electronic device via the server;extracting, at the server, first information from the communications;storing the first information at a log file stored at a memoryassociated with the server; receiving, at the server, a call record of atelephone call, from the electronic device; extracting, at the server,second information from the call record; and storing the secondinformation at the log file, such that the server combines the firstinformation and the second information at the log file.